Supporting the City of San Francisco’s 30×30 plan for economic revitalization, GLIDE’s Community Ambassador Program was launched to honor the life and legacy of Reverend Cecil Williams through safer and cleaner streets, neighborhood placemaking, low-threshold case management, connecting people to services and support groups, cutting through red tape, and community-building with residents, businesses, and service providers.
Our “special sauce” – – the thing that separates our program from others- – is our deep commitment to Unconditional Love. We approach all community members with respect, dignity, and a deep desire to provide meaningful help.
Read all about our partnering with the Civic Joy Fund to clean up the Tenderloin and promote GLIDE values of radical inclusiveness and love and hope to those who need a leg up.
Below are some of the stories by several of our new GLIDE Ambassadors.
Ambassador Ezelia Johnson
“I’m a graduate of GLIDE’s Social Justice Academy and part of its 1st cohort. I heard about the Ambassador program and wanting to continue working for GLIDE I applied to the program and was accepted. My goal is to become a full-time case manager.
I moved out here from Texas in 2019. When I arrived in SF I was homeless; I made use of GLIDE’s services so it seemed like a natural fit for me. Here at GLIDE, people really want to make a difference in other people’s lives and that’s important to me.
I previously worked as a Five Keyes Ambassador but when I heard about Glide’s Ambassador program, I felt I could do more and help those whose lives are in a rut. Times are very challenging right now, especially after the pandemic. A lot of people lost their homes, that’s why you see more people coming to GLIDE. I really want to help people, especially those who are looking for shelter.”
Ambassador Russell Roberts
“I’m originally from Reno, Nevada. I’ve been living in San Francisco for a year now. I’m in recovery myself, 4 years sober.
This type of work I’m extremely passionate about because my last two jobs I interacted with the people and that’s what I’m here to do. I want to take my experience of strength and hope and see other people flourish like myself and pick people up.
Throughout my whole life I’ve learned that a few kind words can change the trajectory of someone’s entire life. And if they know that they can do it, and you reassure them that they can, they believe they can do it.
I recently attended a GLIDE job fair. As soon as I learned about the Ambassador program, I applied. Now I’m here. Glide is known for offering incredible services, along with its Church and spiritual offerings. I want to make sure people who are living on the streets are getting the help that they need.”
Ambassador Chaz Cobb
“GLIDE’s Ambassador program attracted me because I’ve been doing this type of work since 2016. I’m a passionate person and GLIDE knows I can help people. I’m a San Francisco native, born in the Bayview District. I previously worked for Hunter Points Family where I was spending time in the Tenderloin, cleaning the streets and helping homeless get access to services that could help them.
A friend of mine told me about GLIDE’s Ambassador program and thought I’d make a great candidate. So I applied and here I am. Things can be rough in the TL and that’s why you need mentors, or in this case, ambassadors, people who can help others and make a difference in their lives. It’s a chance to get to know some of the folk who are living on the streets and establish a good rapport with them.
I want those who don’t have a home to get what they need, whether it be shelter, food, getting clean, you name it. That’s what Ambassadors are for. We’re here to say YES to these people. I love GLIDE.”
First and foremost, Cecil Williams Community Ambassadors help. As part of GLIDE’s mobile integrated services program, we take immediate action to improve safety, cleanliness, service connections, and community well-being. From Ellis to Sutter and Mason to Polk, Community Ambassadors are a mobile extension of GLIDE’s walk-in center; we provide integrated services and low-threshold case management “in the streets” across 10 Life Domains: Food, Shelter, Life Skills, Family, Community, Substance Use, Mental Health, Medical Health, Education, and Income. Community Ambassadors are a mobile extension of GLIDE’s walk-in center; we provide integrated services and low-threshold case management “in the streets” across 10 Life Domains: Food, Shelter, Life Skills, Family, Community, Substance Use, Mental Health, Medical Health, Education, and Income.
GLIDE’s Ambassadors conduct a range of placemaking and community-building activities, including “broom and pan” sidewalk/gutter cleaning, ensuring illegal dump sites are cleared, and abating graffiti.
Ambassadors are not stationed at GLIDE. As part of GLIDE’s mobile integrated services program, ambassadors spend 90% of their time walking throughout the community, cleaning sidewalks, and helping people connect to services.
Most Community Ambassadors hired at GLIDE already have case management experience. At GLIDE, we provide 176 hours of training each year: 1 week of training every 6 months & eight hours of training each month, including low-threshold case management, CPR/Narcan, motivational interviewing, de-escalation, City service navigation, medical and mental health awareness, and more. Since best practices for case management and service delivery are always evolving, continuous education is a must for all professionals in this field.
The Ambassador Program has guaranteed funding for 3 years, with GLIDE planning to expand the program beyond this period (two contract expansions are in the negotiation process). After our Free Meals program, it is GLIDE’s 2nd largest contract and it is financially secure.
Community Ambassadors must be action-oriented and deeply committed to community service, de-escalation, and unconditional love. We walk a LOT, visiting each address on our routes several times each day because we know “showing up” matters. We stay active, upbeat, hopeful, and energetic while engaging housed and unhoused neighbors with unconditional love.
The first 3 months of all jobs at GLIDE include a probationary period. Community Ambassadors must maintain consistent attendance, fulfill training requirements, pass quality assurance checks, and fulfill all other aspects of the job within the probationary period.
GLIDE Ambassadors have direct access to GLIDE’s Fleet and can call for a vehicle to assist with approved case management and service-connection activities.
All Community Ambassadors are GLIDE staff members and part of our OPEIU labor union. GLIDE proudly offers one of the best regional non-profit benefits packages, including medical, dental, vision, and 403b retirement accounts. For more details, please contact GLIDE’s Human Resources Department at hr@glide.org.
